Improving methods for providing skilled nursing care so people with disabilities or chronic illnesses can leave institutions or remain in their homes

Many individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses can be cared for in their homes and prefer to stay in their communities. Although there are options to do so, they can be extremely costly, especially since some tasks in New Jersey (and other states) require a skilled nurse to perform those tasks. The NJ Nurse Delegation Pilot Project is designed to improve the methods for providing nursing care through nurse delegation. Nurse Delegation refers to the delegation of selected health care tasks by a registered nurse to unlicensed assistive personnel also referred to as attendants, nurse's aides, or homemaker/home health aides. This pilot project will be limited to the application of nurse delegation protocols to long-term services delivered in home- and community-based settings and that are reimbursed by Medicaid. The pilot will: (1) explore the use of nurse delegation as a mechanism for allowing individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses to remain at home, or leave nursing homes, and receive safe, appropriate home care; (2) assist the State Board of Nursing in changing regulations to allow nurse delegation of medication administration by home care aides; (3) determine best practices and models in nurse delegation for use in New Jersey; (4) evaluate the reimbursement implications of nurse delegation as a Medicaid reimbursed home care service; and (5) improve and expand options for consumers of home care services.